Mulally wanted to kill Lincoln as late as last year, Fields vows to turn it around
07-05-14 | 10:25 PM
#77
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Lincoln still has potential, the answer won't be just in big rwd V8 sedans, gov/politicians will pretty much end that type of car sold in large numbers in the upcoming future with the ridiculous CAFE standards that will go in effect 10-20 years. A rwd LTC or Continental flagship could help in the immediate future, something with great styling and presence inside and out. The rest of the lineup needs more work in drive, handling, quality, and to clearly separate itself from Ford.
07-06-14 | 05:31 PM
#78
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Lincoln still has potential, the answer won't be just in big rwd V8 sedans, gov/politicians will pretty much end that type of car sold in large numbers in the upcoming future with the ridiculous CAFE standards that will go in effect 10-20 years. A rwd LTC or Continental flagship could help in the immediate future, something with great styling and presence inside and out. The rest of the lineup needs more work in drive, handling, quality, and to clearly separate itself from Ford.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-07-14 at 07:44 AM.
07-06-14 | 05:45 PM
#79
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Originally Posted by SW13GS
Through American history the finest luxury cars had grand names, Continental, DeVille, so on and so forth. I don't see anything wrong with bringing that back.
The only conventionally-named Lincoln product I can ever remember that was a real flop (and perhaps it was never really intended to sell, as only a thousand of them were built, was the ill-fated Blackwood pickup. Nobody buys a pickup to have a cargo-bed of highly-polished African wood. It was actually more of a showpiece than a pickup. (I saw one recently, BTW, parked in a nearby grocery-lot...one of only two I've ever seen on the road).
07-06-14 | 06:54 PM
#80
Bit.....while I greatly respect your opinions, SW13GS and UDel both have good points. A good luxury vehicle is determined by its merits (even if those merits sometimes include regular names), not just letter/number combos. Lincoln, for example (as they are now finding out to their determent) is known throughout automotive history for its classy names like Continental, Zephyr, Versailles, Navigator, Town Car, Mark-series, etc.....
The only conventionally-named Lincoln product I can ever remember that was a real flop (and perhaps it was never really intended to sell, as only a thousand of them were built, was the ill-fated Blackwood pickup. Nobody buys a pickup to have a cargo-bed of highly-polished African wood. It was actually more of a showpiece than a pickup. (I saw one recently, BTW, parked in a nearby grocery-lot...one of only two I've ever seen on the road).
The only conventionally-named Lincoln product I can ever remember that was a real flop (and perhaps it was never really intended to sell, as only a thousand of them were built, was the ill-fated Blackwood pickup. Nobody buys a pickup to have a cargo-bed of highly-polished African wood. It was actually more of a showpiece than a pickup. (I saw one recently, BTW, parked in a nearby grocery-lot...one of only two I've ever seen on the road).
07-06-14 | 06:58 PM
#81
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Yes....I remember the Mark LT, but I didn't include it because, from what I remember, though more conventional in its design, it was even more of a marketing flop than the Blackwood.
07-06-14 | 09:19 PM
#82
but on the less lofty side, there is also hyundai... with its luxury vehicle names genesis and equus.
07-23-14 | 06:46 PM
#83
Ford's Galhotra succeeds Farley as head of Lincoln
PAUL MASCARENAS RETIRING AFTER 32 YEARS; FORD UNDERSCORES DRIVE FOR INNOVATION AND ACCELERATES LINCOLN WITH NEW SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBERS
After 32 years of service, Paul Mascarenas retiring as chief technical officer and vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering, effective, Oct. 1
Dr. Ken Washington named vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering; former Lockheed Martin executive to help lead Ford's accelerated drive for innovation
Kumar Galhotra named vice president and president, Lincoln; will oversee Lincoln as a world-class luxury brand
Jim Holland named vice president, Vehicle Component and Systems Engineering, succeeding Galhotra
Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] announced today a series of changes in its senior leadership team to continue delivering the company's One Ford plan while accelerating its drive for product excellence, innovation and Lincoln.
Paul Mascarenas, chief technical officer and vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering, has elected to retire after 32 years at Ford, effective Oct. 1. He is being succeeded by Dr. Ken Washington, who is named vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering, effective Aug. 18. Reporting to Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development, Washington most recently was vice president of the Space Technology Advanced Research & Development Laboratories at Lockheed Martin's Space Systems Company.
In addition, Kumar Galhotra – currently the company's vice president of Engineering, responsible for all Ford and Lincoln vehicles globally – is named vice president and president of Lincoln, effective Sept. 1. This new dedicated position, reporting to Ford President and CEO Mark Fields, is designed to accelerate Lincoln even further as a world-class luxury brand. Galhotra becomes the most senior leader overseeing all Lincoln operations globally, including product development; marketing, sales and service; and all team members supporting the Lincoln brand.
Succeeding Galhotra is Jim Holland, who is named vice president, Vehicle Component and Systems Engineering, effective Sept. 1, also reporting to Nair.
"These changes underscore our commitment to build on the success of our One Ford plan by accelerating our pace of progress," Ford President and CEO Mark Fields said. "They also make clear we are serious about Lincoln as a world-class luxury brand and that product excellence and innovation are what will deliver growth and define our entire company going forward."
Research and Advanced Engineering
Since joining Ford in 1982, Mascarenas has amassed extensive experience in product development and advanced technology, serving in key leadership positions in product planning, program management, body engineering and powertrain in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Mascarenas' accomplishments include establishing Ford's first-ever laboratory in Silicon Valley and playing a key role in the development of Ford's Blueprint for Mobility to create a better world for consumers and society.
In succeeding Mascarenas, Washington will oversee the development and implementation of the company's technology strategy and plans – helping to lead Ford's accelerated drive for innovation throughout all areas of its business. Washington's 28-year career includes serving at Lockheed Martin, Enterprise Business Services and Sandia National Laboratories in nuclear engineering, information systems, super-computing, information privacy and R&D space technologies.
"Paul is a very dedicated and talented leader who has served within product development and advanced engineering around the Ford world for the past 32 years," Nair said. "We thank him for his many contributions and wish him all the best in the future.
"Ken is a dynamic leader and successful innovator with vast experience in research and advanced engineering," added Nair. "We look forward to all he will bring to the Ford team as we accelerate our drive for innovation in every part of our business."
Lincoln
In being named the company's new dedicated global Lincoln leader, Galhotra will build on the brand's recent product and sales momentum – including its recent expansion into China. Galhotra will oversee the development of the next generation of Lincoln vehicles as well as connect them with a new generation of Lincoln clients. His focus is to build on the appeal of Lincoln not only through its distinctive vehicles but also a world-class, luxury ownership experience.
"Now is the right time for the next chapter in accelerating Lincoln as a world-class luxury brand," Fields said. "Kumar has more than 25 years of global product and business experience, including leading engineering for all of our Lincoln vehicles today. Being our dedicated senior Lincoln leader will serve our clients, employees and dealers extremely well going forward."
Vehicle Component and System Engineering
In succeeding Galhotra, Holland is responsible for vehicle component and system engineering for Ford and Lincoln vehicles globally. His role is central to the company's commitment to developing vehicles with top quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart technology and value.
Currently engineering director for the company's Asia Pacific operations and based in Australia, Holland has 30 years of experience at Ford in a variety of senior positions in product development, vehicle engineering, product planning and hybrid technologies. His accomplishments include serving as the chief engineer for the acclaimed Ford Explorer introduced in 2010 and now sold in more than 60 countries worldwide.
"Jim is one of our most respected engineering leaders inside Ford and, frankly, within the industry," Nair said. "He has served in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific on a wide variety of product programs and engineering assignments. We look forward to what his passion for product excellence and engineering discipline will bring to our entire vehicle lineup."
After 32 years of service, Paul Mascarenas retiring as chief technical officer and vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering, effective, Oct. 1
Dr. Ken Washington named vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering; former Lockheed Martin executive to help lead Ford's accelerated drive for innovation
Kumar Galhotra named vice president and president, Lincoln; will oversee Lincoln as a world-class luxury brand
Jim Holland named vice president, Vehicle Component and Systems Engineering, succeeding Galhotra
Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] announced today a series of changes in its senior leadership team to continue delivering the company's One Ford plan while accelerating its drive for product excellence, innovation and Lincoln.
Paul Mascarenas, chief technical officer and vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering, has elected to retire after 32 years at Ford, effective Oct. 1. He is being succeeded by Dr. Ken Washington, who is named vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering, effective Aug. 18. Reporting to Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development, Washington most recently was vice president of the Space Technology Advanced Research & Development Laboratories at Lockheed Martin's Space Systems Company.
In addition, Kumar Galhotra – currently the company's vice president of Engineering, responsible for all Ford and Lincoln vehicles globally – is named vice president and president of Lincoln, effective Sept. 1. This new dedicated position, reporting to Ford President and CEO Mark Fields, is designed to accelerate Lincoln even further as a world-class luxury brand. Galhotra becomes the most senior leader overseeing all Lincoln operations globally, including product development; marketing, sales and service; and all team members supporting the Lincoln brand.
Succeeding Galhotra is Jim Holland, who is named vice president, Vehicle Component and Systems Engineering, effective Sept. 1, also reporting to Nair.
"These changes underscore our commitment to build on the success of our One Ford plan by accelerating our pace of progress," Ford President and CEO Mark Fields said. "They also make clear we are serious about Lincoln as a world-class luxury brand and that product excellence and innovation are what will deliver growth and define our entire company going forward."
Research and Advanced Engineering
Since joining Ford in 1982, Mascarenas has amassed extensive experience in product development and advanced technology, serving in key leadership positions in product planning, program management, body engineering and powertrain in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Mascarenas' accomplishments include establishing Ford's first-ever laboratory in Silicon Valley and playing a key role in the development of Ford's Blueprint for Mobility to create a better world for consumers and society.
In succeeding Mascarenas, Washington will oversee the development and implementation of the company's technology strategy and plans – helping to lead Ford's accelerated drive for innovation throughout all areas of its business. Washington's 28-year career includes serving at Lockheed Martin, Enterprise Business Services and Sandia National Laboratories in nuclear engineering, information systems, super-computing, information privacy and R&D space technologies.
"Paul is a very dedicated and talented leader who has served within product development and advanced engineering around the Ford world for the past 32 years," Nair said. "We thank him for his many contributions and wish him all the best in the future.
"Ken is a dynamic leader and successful innovator with vast experience in research and advanced engineering," added Nair. "We look forward to all he will bring to the Ford team as we accelerate our drive for innovation in every part of our business."
Lincoln
In being named the company's new dedicated global Lincoln leader, Galhotra will build on the brand's recent product and sales momentum – including its recent expansion into China. Galhotra will oversee the development of the next generation of Lincoln vehicles as well as connect them with a new generation of Lincoln clients. His focus is to build on the appeal of Lincoln not only through its distinctive vehicles but also a world-class, luxury ownership experience.
"Now is the right time for the next chapter in accelerating Lincoln as a world-class luxury brand," Fields said. "Kumar has more than 25 years of global product and business experience, including leading engineering for all of our Lincoln vehicles today. Being our dedicated senior Lincoln leader will serve our clients, employees and dealers extremely well going forward."
Vehicle Component and System Engineering
In succeeding Galhotra, Holland is responsible for vehicle component and system engineering for Ford and Lincoln vehicles globally. His role is central to the company's commitment to developing vehicles with top quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart technology and value.
Currently engineering director for the company's Asia Pacific operations and based in Australia, Holland has 30 years of experience at Ford in a variety of senior positions in product development, vehicle engineering, product planning and hybrid technologies. His accomplishments include serving as the chief engineer for the acclaimed Ford Explorer introduced in 2010 and now sold in more than 60 countries worldwide.
"Jim is one of our most respected engineering leaders inside Ford and, frankly, within the industry," Nair said. "He has served in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific on a wide variety of product programs and engineering assignments. We look forward to what his passion for product excellence and engineering discipline will bring to our entire vehicle lineup."
07-23-14 | 07:15 PM
#84
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,715
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
"These changes underscore our commitment to build on the success of our One Ford plan by accelerating our pace of progress," Ford President and CEO Mark Fields said. "They also make clear we are serious about Lincoln as a world-class luxury brand and that product excellence and innovation are what will deliver growth and define our entire company going forward."
07-24-14 | 07:32 AM
#86
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,715
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Despite consumer complaints with the MYTouch system, it's hard to argue with the good that Mulally did at the Ford Division (except maybe for losing the cop/taxi/limo market by dropping the Crown Vic/Town Car). Now that he's leaving, it's time to accomplish something at Lincoln.
10-26-14 | 04:12 PM
#87
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,262
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AutoNews
Ford Motor Co.'s new CEO, Mark Fields, is giving the automaker's long-moribund Lincoln brand what his predecessor Alan Mulally never could: a little love and a lot of cash.
Lincoln, a storied Detroit brand which Ford has owned since 1922, has been in a swoon for the past 2 decades, leaving dealers and customers wondering if Ford management had left the brand for dead.
Now, with the renewed backing of Executive Chairman Bill Ford and the company's board, Fields has committed the automaker to a multiyear, multibillion-dollar overhaul of Lincoln that includes a significant investment in a new premium vehicle platform that will underpin several future Lincoln vehicles, 4 sources told Reuters.
Ford could spend $5 billion or more over the next 5 years to revive Lincoln, revamp its product portfolio and reposition it as a true competitor to such global luxury leaders as Mercedes-Benz and BMW, the sources said.
Details of the new platform and the size and scope of the investment have not previously been reported.
"It's really important for us to have a relevant and vibrant luxury brand," Fields told Reuters on Friday. "You need to make the investment and build this brand over time."
He declined to discuss details about Ford's spending and product plans.
Fields said Ford is looking at the Lincoln rebuilding effort "in terms of generations of products," an effort that will stretch well into the next decade.
Ford executives said last month that the immediate goal of the latest Lincoln turnaround effort is to triple the brand's global sales to 300,000 vehicles by 2020.
Several industry analysts have challenged that mark as overly optimistic, as have some former Ford executives who spoke with Reuters on condition of anonymity.
A longer-range target is to restore Lincoln's luster as a premium automotive marque in the U.S. and build it into a formidable competitor in China, where Ford is just now launching the brand years after most of its global luxury rivals entered the China market. On Friday, Ford delivered its first Lincoln in China, an MKZ sedan.
New platform
The springboard for the Lincoln revival plan is a new family of vehicles that will be built on a highly flexible premium platform that can be configured for front-, rear- and all-wheel-drive vehicles, according to industry sources familiar with Ford's plans.
That is a critical element that has been lacking in several previous, under-financed attempts to resuscitate the brand. Versions of the platform will be used by both the Lincoln and Ford brands, the sources said.
Former CEO Mulally, who retired in July, declined to make more than a nominal investment in Lincoln -- and even considered selling or closing the brand, according to two sources.
But his successor, Fields, has directed his management team to try to reverse a long-term U.S. sales skid that has seen Lincoln sink from the No. 1 spot in 1998 to eighth place among luxury brands, with about half the sales of Cadillac and one-quarter the sales of segment leader Mercedes. Last year, Lincoln sales were 81,694, less than half of the 187,121 cars it sold in 1998.
Flexible design
The revival effort is backed by the 1st significant investment in Lincoln in years, 1 that will see every product redesigned or replaced over the next 5 years.
Ford already has spent about $2 billion on Lincoln in the past 2 years, according to 1 source, about half of that to prepare for the brand's introduction this week in China and half to update and expand its product stable to tide Lincoln over until the new family of vehicles is ready toward the end of the decade.
Ford has said in some years it spent only $500 million or less on Lincoln. In September, the automaker told investors it plans to spend more than $2.5 billion through 2019 on Lincoln product development, facilities and tooling.
But that figure does not include spending on engineering, advertising and other sales-related expenses for Lincoln, CFO Bob Shanks told Reuters on Friday.
Much of the new investment is earmarked for development and tooling of the new premium platform, known internally as D6, sources said. The development is being overseen by new Lincoln President Kumar Galhotra, an engineer.
The flexible architecture of the D6 will provide the mechanical base for a wide variety of sedans and crossovers starting in 2019, all designed to give Lincoln more differentiation from its Ford-branded siblings, as well as a stronger foundation on which to build more competitive luxury models to pit against the sector leaders.
Updating
Before the 1st of the new D6-based models arrive, Lincoln will update most of its existing products, starting with a redesigned MKX midsize crossover in spring 2015 and a replacement for the MKS large sedan in spring 2016, sources said. The latter model will include a long-wheelbase version with more room inside for Chinese customers, Galhotra said.
The Navigator full-size utility vehicle is slated for an extensive overhaul in autumn 2017, according to sources, when it will share a version of the new Ford F-150 chassis and will get aluminum body panels.
Details on those vehicles were published in Automotive News' future product series in August.
A redesign of the compact MKC crossover is tentatively scheduled in autumn 2018, the Reuters sources said.
The 1st of the all-new D6 models, due in 2019, are a midsize sedan that could replace the MKZ and a large 7-passenger crossover that could replace the MKT, sources said. Both new models are expected to be offered in front- and all-wheel-drive versions.
10-27-14 | 07:30 AM
#90
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